Karin Liljegren

Karin Liljegren is the boss woman here at Omgivning. If you have a hard time pronouncing "Liljegren" or "Omgivning" then you can blame her Swedish heritage for that. Her past life consists of growing up as a Jersey gal with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from UNC-Charlotte. She came to Southern California to get her Masters in Architecture from UCLA.

When she's not busy running this place, Karin works with her butler/confidant Alfred in developing fast cars and escape pods. She fights crime in Gotham City in a black bat costume with her sidekick Robin, where they both ...oh no ... I've said too much.

Ai Yamaguchi

Ai started her studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design. She realized that California was the place to be, and received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Cal State Northridge.
Ai will tell you she is half Japanese and half Indonesian, but we all know her to be 100% cat. She is truly a cat lady. In her spare time, she likes lounging in the sun, tree climbing, cleaning her paws, sharpening her claws on furniture, and swatting at dogs. 30% of the office is allergic to her.

Base

Born and raised in Downtown LA, Base (aka Baseball aka Bougansteinville aka Beetle aka Bug) is a Cocker Spaniel Chihuahua, and our resident Interior Barkitect. She attended her mother’s sister school, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Interior Barkitecture from Woofbury School of Design and Barkitecture. Her favorite colors are blue and yellow…because those are the only colors she sees. Please inquire about her rates.

Bolívar Iñiguez

Bolívar was born in Ecuador, where he bounced back and forth between the northern and southern hemisphere. It was very simple as both hemispheres met in his backyard. Whilst there, Bo was training to be a Master Builder in LEGOLAND, but decided he wanted to spend his life in real-world architecture.
After moving to the Southland, Bo graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury University. Although he works on real-life buildings at Omgivning, he still dabbles in Legos and has built his summer home out standard-sized Lego blocks. It was constructed in 28 minutes.

Bradley Mallette

From Rollingwood, Mississippi, was a guy named Brad.
He was a gator wrestling musician, and it sure was rad.
He thought "Buildings are cool. This will be my fate"
And he got himself a BArch from Mississippi State.
The lure of California was a calling his name,
So Bradley headed west as to not be lame.
At Omgivning he landed, where he designs without a frown,
He even plays his guitar at gigs all over town.
Brad loves architecture and tunes that shuck and jive
Next time you see him, give him a high-five.

Court Loeffler

Court was born Kal-El on the alien planet Krypton, before being rocketed to Earth as an infant by his scientist father Jor-El, moments before Krypton's destruction. Discovered and adopted by Minnesota farmer couple, the child is raised as Court Loeffler and was imbued with a strong moral compass. Very early on he started to display various financial managerial duties, which upon reaching maturity, he resolved to use for the benefit of humanity through attending the University of St. Thomas for Communication Studies and Business Management and dealing with the financial sector of Omgivning in Los Angelopolis.

Sir Charles Darwin

Darwin is 50% Bassett Hound, 50% Blue Heeler and 100% fun guy. Don’t let his stubby legs fool you. He was the tallest dog in his graduating class at CalBarkeley, where he earned his Barkelers degree in Landscape Barkitecture. He’ll sniff out and roll around in the right landscape for you. Please inquire about his rates.

Ernie

This fun-loving pug is so happy to see you. As the youngest member of Omgivning, Ernie is a boundless chunk of energy and spunk. He graduated Cum Pawde at Woofbury School of Design and Barkitecture. Please inquire about his rates.

Joel Chappo

Valparaiso, Indiana is famous for two things: Orville Redenbacher and Joel Chappo. Much like Redenbacher, Joel too is a popcorn magnate, but left butter-soaked snacking game to attend Ball State University. This hilariously named school is where he earned his two degrees: a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design.

Joel is a proud owner of a genuine Eames Lounger, is dogfather to one of our barkitects, Roxy, and is wedded to the best architectural biographer in the biz.

Jonathan Giffin

Jonathan Giffin is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo BARCH, and studied abroad at Cal State Firenze. The world of architecture and big cities lead him to where he is today, designing for us here at Omgivning.

While living in Italy for school, he learned the ancient art of pasta making from the matriarch of the family he was living with. He has made a promise to Nonna to eat pasta daily, and will gladly share his meal with you.

Other things that Nonna has taught Jonathan: crocheting X-Mas sweaters, sending work-appropriate memes around the office, and general IT skills.

Lauren Mishkind

Lauren grew up on a rainbow, which has led her to living anywhere rainbows land from California to New England, and abroad to England and The Netherlands. Being raised in a sky spectrum has made her appreciate colors, sunshine, whimsy and springtime. Lauren suspended her colorful lifestyle to double major in International Politics and Studio Art at Claremont Colleges, to then receive her Masters in Architecture from Yale.
She now resides in downtown Los Angeles with her dog, Sir Charles Darwin, and her Pegasus, Francis McEnroe, Esq.

Meiyee Chappo

Meiyee Apple Tam is an actor. You can see her in such roles as the Omgivning Office Manager extraordinaire and Website Biographer. Growing up in Texas, she's bounced around Texas, moved to nation's capital, and found herself the clutches of LA life. Despite growing up in Texas, she had the thickest Canadian accent. We don't what that's aboot.

Although she is not a designer, she chooses to surround herself with designers because she enjoys being the company of those that stress out quietly at their desks.

Morgan Sykes Jaybush

Fourth generation Angeleno, Morgan Sykes Jaybush is one of the original members of Omgivning. He was born to be a part of the team, as he grew up in and around Downtown LA and has been a part of its revitalization for years. He escaped big city life for a little while to try out coastal living while attending architecture school at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and then lived life in Italy for several years.

Hop in his '66 Cutlass Supreme to cruise over to his house, where you'll find his collection of vintage designer chairs and clocks. He's the most upscale and organized hoarder you'll ever meet.

Nicole Stubblefield

Nicole Stubblefield went through the ranks studying engineering, but eventually found her calling graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in Architecture. In the midst of all this California architecture, she ran away to study abroad in Denmark.

Nicole is a food connoisseur that lives in East LA, and can tell you where to find the best burrito shack in all of Boyle Heights. She's also one of the tallest people in the Omgivning office at 5'10". Need help reaching for the mug on the top shelf, you know whom to call.

Nikki Brown

Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Nikki attended the University of New Mexico where she earned her B.A. in Architecture and the University of North Carolina, Charlotte for her Masters of Architecture.

Fueled by hatch chilies and fry bread, the desert spirits have guided Nikki to visit over 24 countries where she spreads her Nikki Brown wisdom (what is also known as “Brownisms”) across the globe like how to build basic furniture, 36 ways to wrap a shawl around your body, and to tell the difference between Moroccan spice and Monacoian spice.

Norella Carboni

Norella had a brief stint in real estate touring boring, unimaginative spaces. Even though all of that was lame, it allowed her to break out and exercise her creativity. She went on to graduate Woodbury University with a degree in Interior Architecture. She also designs and produces furniture, so for each cool piece she’s creating, one boring thing is taken away from society.
This dog and vegetable lover lives in Downtown Los Angeles only a block away from the Omgivning headquarters. Unlike most Angelenos, she doesn’t have that gross commute you have to take to work. She wins.

Peter Rindelaub

From the frozen tundra of Minneapolis/St. Paul begat Peter Rindelaub, LEED Architect. To continue his need to live in winter wonderlands, Peter attended The University of Colorado, where he earned his Bachelor in Environmental Design, and then went back to the home state to get his Master in Architecture from The University of Minnesota.

Feeling the need to thaw out, Peter sold his ice auger for fishing holes, and traded it in for hiking boots and sunglasses when he moved to Los Angeles in 2007. He still keeps an ice scraper in his car in case of emergency and for just plain novelty.

Riz Walker

Riz began life as a muppet from the OTHER Sesame Street in South Royalton, Vermont. She was the cheerful girl, the one with the purple face, brown pigtails, and orange nose. When walking through the magical streets of Sesame, she stumbled upon a genie bottle. The genie granted her three wishes. The first wish was to be a real human girl. The second wish was to live in California, because as a fleece muppet, temperature did not affect her, but she knew as a human girl, it would be too cold for her people skin. Her third wish was to have a BArch from Syracuse and Masters in Architecture from UCLA, and be a part of the world of design. With all of her wishes coming true, Riz has grown to be a great (human) team member of Omgivning.

Roberto Vazquez

University of Michigan grad Roberto Vazquez came to Los Angeles after realizing he didn't want to live in a state shaped like a mitten anymore. This Architect is living the dream of turning underused structures into beautiful spaces to be enjoyed by everyone as one of the original members of Omgivning.

Roberto is Omgivning's token father of bouncing toddler Xavier. He will undoubtedly pass to his son his love of aesthetics, V-neck t-shirts and salad. Roberto loves salad.

Sara Groesbeck

Sara chose the world of design and architecture in an attempt to affect her surroundings. She earned a Masters in Architecture, moved to LA, and by joining the Omgivning team; she can carve out enjoyable spaces for the masses.
Sara is a part of our large group of upper Midwestern refugees where she escaped from the frigid temps of Detroit, Michigan.
Sara is so Detroit. How Detroit is she? Her mother is a Pontiac Firebird and her father is Red Wing Groesbeck…as in they named the hockey team after him.

Sarah Cahill

Sarah Cahill, LEED AP, is a Wildcat from the University of Kentucky where she got her degree in Architecture. Growing up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, OH she enjoyed being taken into the city, which is where her love of buildings and architecture came from.

As a member of Omgivning, shaping and refining the character of Downtown Los Angeles is something she is proud to be a part of. Other things Sarah is proud of: her brand spanking new Winnebago, the ability to recite to you every lyric from the 90's Smashing Pumpkins catalog (not the weird later stuff), and being a force to be reckoned with at sci-fi trivia. Don't fraking test her.

Vincent Han

Vincent Han is currently studying Building Construction in Pasadena, even after graduating with top honors with a Bachelors in Medicine. He came to California to pursue his PhD from his home city of Tianjin, China, but realized that the medical world just wasn’t for him. He found design to be more inspiring and just plain fun. Vincent is a positive and ambitious member in the Omgivning team who will one day rule us all. Please be nice to him now, as you will be handsomely rewarded when your time comes.

Yukie Takeshi

Once upon a time, a Chestnut-backed Owlet by the name of Ms. Madeleine Buttonmasher was soaring across the San Fernando Valley, where she found a child by the name of Yukie. The majestic bird noticed Yukie was creative in the arts, but also mathematical and logical. The wise old owl encouraged her to take the architecture path and with Ms. Buttonmasher by her side, Yukie earned their Architecture degree from Cal Poly Pomona.
Today, you’ll see Yukie and Ms. Buttonmasher enjoying their favorite activities, like exercising, dancing, and eating candy all around town. Yukie also currently lives in one of Omgivning’s projects. Ms. Madeleine now lives in Studio City, because Yukie’s building doesn’t allow birds.